Sheet-delivery mechanism.



E; P. SHELDON. `SHEET DELIVERY MEGHANISM. l.APVPLIOATION FI-LLDJUNE 9, 1911.

Patented @11.21, 1913.

A mvElvroRz.

wsTNEssEla',

Arrys.

E. P. S'HELDON. SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM APPLICATION FILED IUNEQ, 1911'.

Patented Jan. 21, 1913.

ANW w10.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l' /NvvE/vro'h. Q W f d i UNrrE srarns 'PATENT orrion.

EDWARD r. SHELDON, lor NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR 'ro R. non AND YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or NRW YORK.

oo., or New SHEET-DELIVERY MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application mea. :rune 9, 1911. serial No. 632,118.

duce au simple, Acompact and effective sheet'` delivery mechanism requiring but little space for its installation and capacitatedto run at 4high speeds. A

With this and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain constructions', and in certain parts, improvements and combinations as will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a plan view of asheetde livery mechanism embodying the invention.

. Fig. 2 is a sectional view On the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, certain parts being shown in eleva tion. y Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view illustrating more particularly the gripper mechanisms employed, these mechanisms being shown in front elevation. Fig. t is a plan view of one of the gripper mechanisms shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side elevation .of the gripper mechanism shown in Fig. 3.

Fig, 6 isa sectional detail View illustrating the operation Of the gripper actuating devices at the sheet taking point. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a part of one of the gripper mechanisms employed.

In the drawings, which illustrate one emi Patented J an. 21, 1913.

withthisroll 2 and arranged to bear. on the j margins of the sheets.

Mechanism embodying the invention willinclude a pair of flexible gripper carriers which may be said to travel in a plane parallel to the sheet path, although mathematically speaking, this definition is not eX- act, as strictly speaking these carriers travel between two planes both of which are parallel to the sheet path. The construction of these flexible. gripper carriers may be varied, but in the best constructions embodying the invention, they will, as shown, oonsist of chains, as 5.

The means for operating the carriers may be varied, but in the particular construction illustrated, each chain passes around a driven sprocket wheel 6 and around an idle sprocket wheel 7, the wheels 6 being .mounted on shafts 8 and the wheels 7 on shafts 9, these shafts 8 and 9 being normal or at right angles to the pla-ne of the sheet path. in

the best constructions embodying the invention, these gripper carriers will be so mounted as to enable them to be adjusted with respect to the path of the sheet, Vsuch an adjustment making it possible to properly adjust the grip ers mounted on the carriers and to proper y position `the parts of the delivery mechanism so as to operate on sheets of diii'erent widths. may be secured in various ways, in the parlhile this adjustment ticular construction illustrated, there are' provided two carriages 10, these carriages moving ,on tracks 11 secured tot-crossbars 12, 13, these cross-bars connecting the side frames. 8, 9 and may also be provided. with brackets* 14 carrying bearings 15 which receive the shafts on which arms 1G are mounted, these arms serving to support the propeller rolls 4. The adjusting movement of thev carriages may be secured in any desired way. In the construction shown, each carriage (see Fig. 3) is provided with a depending rib 17 which carries a bearing 18, this bean ing receiving a horizontal shaft 19. This shaft 19 is threaded for a portion of-its length, as 4shown inFig. 5, this threaded portion passing through'a tapped opening in 'the corresponding .side frame 1, and bef' These carriages support the shafts curedpto them plates 2i, 22 (the plates 22- otted lines in F ig. l) which being shown in serve as guides for theincoming sheet.

The gripper mechanisms'employed may be -varied Widely in construction. In the particular construction shown, each gripper mechanism includes a block 23 provided With a horizontal Harige 24 by which the gripper mechanism is connected to the chain carrier, this flange, in the particular construction shown, forming one of the top linksof the carrier. `The block is also provided vvith an extension 25 the under face of which forms .the upper or thatr jaw of the gripper with which the movable'jaw coperates. The movable jaw consists of an L- shaped piece, the vert-ical part of this l.- shaped piece being marked 26 and the horizontal part 27, the part 27 being provided with an extension 28 which cooperates with the under face of the extension 25, the sheet being held between the fiat surfaces of these extensions. The vertical part 2G of this L- shaped piece lies behind the extension 25 :and between it anda rib 29 formed on the block.. Between the body portion of the block 23 and the extension 25 there is provided a groove, and in this groove there is located a sliding plate 30, this plate being provided with a rib or forward extension 3l. By this construction the shank 2G of the, movable part is guided in its movement by the rear face. of the extension 25, the rib 25) and the plate 30. i

The means for operating the gripper jaws may be Widely varied and will be varied according to the lparticular type of gripper mechanism emp oyed. In the construction shown there is provided a rock-shaft- 32 (sec dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5) journaledin the block 23. This shaft is provided with an sion 34 which carries a roll This shaft has segment teeth 86 formed on it, these 1 -teeth meshing withteeth 87 formed on the shank 26 of the movable gripper jaw. t is obvious that'by rocking the shaft the movable gripper jaw will bevraised andlowered, that is, the gripper-s will be opened and closed. The means for actuating the shaft the particular construction shown, coniprise cams 38 adjustable on rods 39 mounted on the carriages 10. By making these cams 38` adjustable, .the time of opening the grippers, and consequently, the time of releasing the sheet, may be vai-ied. This is important where sheets of different. lengths are to be operated upon.

inthe best constructions embodying the invention a. lock will be provided which after the grippers are opened to discharge the sheet, retains them in open 'position until they again reach the sheet taking point. lVhile the construction of this lock, when employed, may be varied, in the particular construction illust-rated, it comprises a plate @fl-0 loose on the shaft 82, heilig held in position by a screw 41 tapped into the end of the shaft` This plate 40 has a locking extension 43 which cooperates with a rib 44 on the sliding plate 30. This sliding plate is provided with rack teeth 45 which engage tho segmcntteeth 36, and has connected to its forwardly extending rib 3l a spring 46 extending into a boss in the extension 23, and being secured therein by a plug screw 47.4 A leaf spring, as 48, may be employed which bears on an angularly disposed inwardly extending finger 49 formed on the )late 40. The plate 40 is extended behind its pivot point to form an opera-ting arm 50, this arm carrying a roll 5l. lWhen the shaft 32 is rocked to open the grippcrs, the engagement of the teeth 3G with the teeth 45 on the plate 30 will cause this plate to move to the right, as the parts are shown' in Fig. 5, and the locking extension 43 Will engage behind the rib 44, the plate being thrown down by the leaf spring` 48. This movement of the plate also places the spring 4G undei tension. The gripper mechanism is now locked in its opened position, and will remain so until the plate 40 is rocked in the opposite direction which will lift the locking extension 43 from behind the rib 44. \Vhen this occurs the spring 46 will slide the plaie 80 in the opposite direct-ion, that is to the left, and,

this movement will rock thc shaft 32 l through the engagement. of the teeth 45 and the teeth 3G. `Since, however, the teeth 36 are also in engagement with the teeth 37 on the vertical shank of the movable gripper, this shank will be carried upward, thus `closing the gripper. operating arm 33 having an angular exten- The means employed in the particular Iconstruction shown for rocking the locking plate to unlock the grippers comprise cams 152 formed on thc under side of cam plates 53, these plates being carried on brackets 54 fast on the carriages 10, thcsc cams 52 being jso arranged that the rolls 51 contact with vthem at about thc time when the grippers are to be opened.

to open the grippers which are provided in i To provide for an easy closing of the grippers and to prevent shock whichV is liable to occur in a rapidly operatingconstruction =a second cam, as may be employed` this .cam being so arranged that the roll 35 on Q the shaft 32 strikes it at about the time the unlocking cams operate. Although, therefore, the lock is released, the grippcrs cannot close until the roll runs out'l from under this cam 55. This construction, therefore, provides for an easy closing of the it deemed, and

.pla -eecu ing ho thefie l nache? e guides rende weeen-asv .ons einbedyingethel ne proidec for sus@ carriers against '.vthe, the operationv oi? the actnatingj and..thesemeanse .ell includere `nanisni-tor not only -ning .the thru.et;produced lout alsoiori up any tri/ating or torsional strains.

i a these sustaining nieans'may eiect one or both of .these functions, and .may be i .as shown, the chains mangio brackets 56l i haii-ig a pair of' niechanieinf c The-ee reds 57 which` orin partv of the. inge construction-I l@- l thus taire care the downward thrust produced in the gri per opening operation. .The .torsional ains are, in the particular construction illustrate`d taken carnet hf kguidies5.8, 59 between which the .These n'uides also have the. iin- "i preventing any whip- 'een the sprockets. the guides 58, 59 y to the carriage i '-cted bycausing the i guides 59 to pass age plate, and cire. with slots G3 ecnring bolts 6d for e adjustment of the le to so writrol the i er mechanisms i s "ntlyand thus slacken the tension or the sheet so that it may bag or belly downward slightly at its center. .Eis the sheet delivered the bagging portion strikes the pile lirst and the air is thus forced ont i. nn under the sheet with the result thatthe sheets will. lie fiat when delivered nt high speed.

or the. 4

ni a y be through elf y L hy providing the through which.

chainsas to canse to approach nach.

Changes and variations may be made in' to the particular construction hereinbctore' describe il' and .illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

What is claimed'is* l. in a sheet delivery mechanism, the eombination with a pairof traveling flexible gripper carriers one on cach' side of the sheet path, of actuating wheels for the carrier ro tating on'axes which are normal to the plane of the sheet path, grippers mounted on. the carrie-rs, and gripper actuating devices overlying the inner vruns of the carriers.

In a lsheet delivery mechanism, the combination with apair of traveling ieXible gripper carriers one on each side of the sheet patlnwof actuating wheels for the carriers .1 i i on. hc'inontai plates' '3 rotating fon.: axes lwhich s are normal;A to i the iplane of J the sheet. path, adjustable :guides -orthe' carriers, grippers on the carriers, @and gripper actuating devices overlying the inner runs of the carriers.

.3. Ina sheet delivery mechanism, the ycombination with a pair of carriages one on each 'side1 ofthe sheet path, o'meansiorfeldjusting the carriages rtoward and away v:from saldpatlna pair of travelingfilenible grippercarriers onev onfeach` carriage,v actuating .Wheels for the carriersmounted on the-car- -riagesysaid Wheels rotating on-axesfmhieh arenormal to the plane of the sheetpath, grippers mounted on the car1iers,.and gripper actuating devices mounted onthecarvriages z and located over the innermunsa-of the flexible carriers.A

il. ln a sheet delivery mechanism, vthe ycombination with a pair of carriagesone' on.A each side of the sheet path, of'means for adjusting the carriages towardandeaway from the sheet path, `pair of traveling flexible gripper carriers one on leach carriage, actuating wheels for `the `rcarriers mounted on the carriages, said -wh-eelsretating on axes which are normal tothe; plane ofthe sheet path, adjustableguides'fon-the carriers, grippers on the carriera-'andffgipper actuating devices-overlying the inner runs of the carriers.

5. in a shet delivery mechanism, lthe combination with apair of tlexiblegripper carriers, one on each side of the sheet path, of means for causing said carriers to travel in a plane which isparallel to the plane of the sheet path, grippers mounted on the carriers, gripper actuating devices overlying the inner runs of the carriers, and means for supporting the carriers at the gripper actuating points,

6. ln a sheet delivery Inechanisnnthe combination with a pair of flexible gripper vearriers one on each side of the sheet path, of -means for causing said carriers to travel in a plane which is parallel-to the plane of the sheet path, grippers mounted on thecarriers, gripper actuating devices located at the sheet taking and delivery points, anda lock. for holding the grippers openbetween .the sheet delivery and the sheet taking points.

7. In a sheet delivery mechanism, the conibination with a pair of .flexible .gripper carriers one on each side of. lthe sheet pat-h, of

means for causingsaid carriers to travel-in a plane which is parallel to the planeof the sheet path, grippers mounted on the carrier, gripper actuating devices located at lthe sheet vtaking points, adjustable gripper actuating devices located at the sheet delivery point, and a lock for holding the grippers open between the sheet delivery and the sheet taking point.

combination with a pair of flexible gripper carriers one on each side of the sheet path, of means for causing said carriers to travel in a plane parallel to the plane of the sheet path, gripper mechanisms including movable jaws, and gripper actuating devices located at the sheet taking and delivery points.

10.*In a sheet delivery mechanism, the

combination with a pair of fiexible gripper carriers one on each side of the sheet path, of means for causing said carriers to travel in a plane parallel to the plane of the sheet path, gripper mechanisms including movvtravel in a plane able jaws, gripper actuating devices located at. the sheet taking and delivery points, and a lock for holding the grippers open between the sheet delivery and the sheet taking points.

11. In a sheet delivery mechanism, the combination with a pair of flexible gripper carriers one on each side of the sheet path, of means for causing said gripper carriers to travel in a plane parallel to the plane of the sheet path, gripper mechanisms mounted on the carriers, each of said mechanisms including a movable jaw, gripper actuating devices located at the sheettaking and sheet delivery p oints, and means for supporting the car- 'rlers as said devices come into operation.

12. In a sheet delivery mechanism, the combination with apair of flexible gripper carriers one on each side of the sheet path, of means for causing said gripper carriers to travel in a plane parallel to the plane of the sheet path, gripper mechanisms mounted on the carriers, each of said mechanisms including a movable jaw, and means for operating said jaws to open and close the grippers.

13. In a sheet delivery mechanism, the combination with a pair of flexible gripper carriers one on each sideof the sheet path, of means for causing said gripper carriers to parallel to the plane of. the sheet path, gripper mechanisms mounted on the carriers, each of said mechanisms including a movable jaw, gripper actuating devices located at the sheet taking and deliverypoints, support-ing rolls on the carriers in juxtaposition to the gripper mechanisms, and supporting means with which the rolls c operate.

14. In a sheet delivery t mechanism, the combinationwith a pair of gripper carrying i spring` come into operation, and means for supporting the chains against the thrust of the gripper actuating devices.

15. In a sheet delivery mechanism, the combination with a pair of flexible chains one on each side of the sheet path, of means for causing said chains to travel in a plane parallel to the plane of the sheet path, gripper mechanisms mounted 011 the chains, each of said mechanisms including a movable javv, and means for giving said jaws a right line movement to open and close the grippers.

16. In a sheet delivery mechanism, the combination with a pair of flexible chains one on each side of the sheet path, of means for ausing said chains to travel in a plane parallel to the plane of the sheet path, gripper mechanisms mounted on the chains, each of said mechanisms including a movable jaw, gripper actuating devices located at the sheet takin and delivery points, and means for sustaining the chains against the strains produced by the operation ot the gripper actuating devices.

17. In a sheet delivery mechanism, the

combination with a pair of flexible gripjier carriers one on each side of the sheet path, of means for causing the carriers to travel in a plane parallel to the plane of the sheet path, gripper mechanism mounted on each carrier each ot said mechanisms including a movable jaw, a rock-shaft and'suitable connections for giving said jaws a right liuc movement to open the grippcrs, and a and suitable connections for closing the same.

18. ln a sheet delivery mechanism, the combination with a pair of flexible gripjjicr carriers one on each side of the sheet path, of means for causing the carriers Vto travel in a plane parallel to the plane of the. sheet path, gripper mechanism mounted on each carrier each of said mechanisms including a movable jaw, gripper actuating devices located at the sheet taking and sheet delivery points, and means for sustaining the carrier against the strains developed by the operation of the actuating devices. c

1). ln a .sheet delivery mechanism, the combination with a pair of flexible gripper carriers one on each side of the sheet path, of means for causing the carriers to travel in a plane parallel to the plane of the sheet path, gripper mechanisms mounted'on each carrier each of said mechanisms including a movable jaw, gripper actuating devices located at the sheet taking anddsheet d'eliv` my hand, inthe presence of two subscrihingV ery points, means for sustaining the carrier Witnesses. against the strains developed by the oper- .ation-of the actuatingdevces, and a lock' EDWARD P* SHELDON for holding the grippers open between the Wtnessesz sheet delivery andsheet taking points. RICHARD KELLY, v In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set GEORGE R. CREIGH'DON. 

